Participants during the debate. Pic: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula
The International School of London (ISL)-Qatar hosted Qatar’s popular community outreach initiative #bigbmeetup’s ‘Estedama’ themed edition during Qatar Sustainability Week 2021, in which the innovative ISL Qatar ‘Forest School Project’ was launched to enhance school garden.
The event opened with a speech by Head of ISL Qatar, Sean Areias, who said ISL last year initiated its ambitious project toward becoming a Green Flag School, an international accreditation that has recognised and rewarded young people’s environmental actions.
“I am excited to be a resident of Qatar, which is implementing a number of initiatives and sustainability projects highlighting eco-friendly project to mark Qatar Sustainability Week 2021,” said Areias.
Sean Areias, Head of ISL Qatar
Speaking to The Peninsula, Sean Areias said ISL is taking a number of green initiatives such as eco-club, and seeking to have ‘Green Flag School’ status to create further eco-friendly environment inside school campus. He said under the initiatives, students will be educated about the importance of preserving environment and they will be involved in green drive activities.
The event brought together many national and international authorities and enthusiasts to debate topics focused on sustainability in Qatar. ISL Qatar in partnership with Bosco Menezes (Founder of #bigbmeetup and bigbfotografi) organised ‘Estedama’ (Arabic for ‘sustainability’), a round table eco conversation moderated by Bosco Menezes himself.
Amongst the speakers were contemporary Qatari artist Fatima Mohammed; Founder of Greener Future, Aisha Al Maadeed; PADI Ambassador, Khaled Zaki.
Joining the debate were the ‘Forest School Project’ team members — Research Institute & Eco School Coordinator Cristina Pawel; Sean Areias; architect and parent volunteer, Shashi Narayanan; and Stella Bianchi and Maryam Buraimoh, both ISL Qatar IB Diploma students.
As the evening progressed, young Qatari female green ambassadors Mariam Al Hajri, Noora Al Muftah and Hamad Al Jabra joined the conversation. ISL Qatar parent volunteers Amel Sisbane and Shreya Suraj, DEAP volunteer and founder of ‘Anybody Can Draw’ also engaged with the eco debate. Fatma Mohammed presented her innovative Abaya made with plastic bottles and spoke about how she was overwhelmed to see the amount of plastic waste, especially during COVID-19. The evening proceeded with world renowned PADI Ambassador Khaled Zaki giving the audience a master class on the evil of plastic in the ocean. ISL Qatar has been developing several projects that aim to raise awareness of environmental issues.
The most significant of these is the ‘Forest School Project’, Qatar’s first of its kind. The Project promises to augment and enhance ISL Qatar’s extensive school gardens. From a learning perspective, the ‘Forest School Project’ is designed to develop students’ awareness of biodiversity, promote eco-friendly activities, alongside inspiring curriculum changes.
The event was capped with planting of trees at the Forest Tree Project site by Hamad Al Jabra from Greener Future Qatar; solo beach cleanup volunteer Ehsan Malik; ISL Qatar parent volunteer Shashi Narayanan; and Founder of #bigbmeetup Bosco Menezes.
